Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Judge rules Bevin can cut college, university budgets

(AP) — A Kentucky judge
has ruled Republican Gov. Matt Bevin can cut the budgets of public colleges and
universities without the approval of the state legislature.

Franklin
County Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate says two state laws allow Bevin
to reduce allotments for public colleges and universities. Wingate ruled while
the governor's powers are usually confined to the state constitution,
the legislature can give the governor additional powers by passing laws. He
said Bevin's cuts of nearly $18 million to colleges and universities this year
are not improper.

Bevin
proposed the cuts in January. The state legislature did not approve
them. Bevin ordered the cuts anyway. Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear
sued him.

Wingate
ordered Bevin to leave the $18 million alone until the case has been resolved.